New Delhi: Pakistan on Saturday defeated a mediocre Indian squad by two wickets in the thrilling match of Under 19 Asia Cup played in Dubai. After batting first, the Indian team had scored 237 runs.
In reply, Pakistan chased down the target of 238 runs for loss of eight wickets in the match’s final delivery, courtesy Ahmad Khan who smashed Ravi Kumar for a four.
In the last over of the game, Pakistan needed eight runs to win with three wickets remaining. Team India captain handed the ball to Ravi Kumar who got the crucial breakthrough off the very first ball.
The equation went down to Pakistan needing two runs off the last ball with Ahmad Khan at the strikers’ end. Ahmad sealed the game for his side by hitting a four in the final delivery.
Earlier in the game, Pakistan U-19 bowlers rocked the Indian batting lineup. Zeeshan Zameer (5/60) was the pick of bowlers as he helped Pakistan bundled out India for a sub-par 237.
Batting first, India lost wickets consistently and were left reeling at 96/5 in the 19th over. Harnoor’s patient 59-ball 46 and wicket-keeper Aaradhya Yadav’s 83-ball 50 pushed India past the 230-run mark.
Mohammad Shehzad starred with the bat for Pakistan as he played a match-winning innings of 81 runs off 105 balls with help of four boundaries and five huge sixes. Ahmed Khan was another batter who emerged as the star performer as he gave his team a thrilling win by playing a late fiery cameo (29 not out).
Brief scores: India U-19 237 all out (Aaradhya Yadav 50, Harnoor Singh 46; Zeeshan Zamir 5/60, Awais Ali 2/43) lost to Pakistan U-19 240/8 (Muhammad Shehzad 81, Irfan Khan 32; Raj Bawa 4/ 56) by two wickets.
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